Commander: Zionists Extremely Fearful of Iran’s Long-Range Missiles

 (FNA)- A senior Iranian commander downplayed the US and Israeli war rhetoric against Iran, and said the country's long-range missiles have created deep fear among the Zionists.

"At present, no country dares to attack Iran; the enemy (Israel) cannot even overcome (the Lebanese resistance group) Hezbollah" let alone threatening Iran, Commander of the specialized artillery and air defense center of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in the Southeastern city of Rafsanjan on Monday.

"Today, Iran's long-range missiles tremble the bodies of the Zionists and their allies," he added.

Iran enjoys long-range missiles, including Shahab 3, Sejjil and Qadr, which can hit as far as Israel and Tehran has repeatedly underlined that its missile program would never be a topic of nuclear talks with the six powers.

In May, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the western states' demand for restricting Iran's missile capability was foolish.

"They expect Iran to limit its missile program while they continue posing military threats against Iran, and hence, such an expectation is foolish and silly," Ayatollah Khamenei said during a tour of an exhibition of the IRGC Aerospace Force.

The Supreme Leader reiterated that the irrational statements of the western countries in their talks with Iran indicate their complete failure vis-à-vis the Iranian nation.

"The IRGC Aerospace Force should precisely advance its works and plans and should not be satisfied with its status quo," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Supreme Leader underlined that the IRGC Aerospace Force should mass produce its products, and said, "This issue is a duty and all military officials should channel their efforts onto this path and government officials should also view this as among their main duties."

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in developing and manufacturing its essential needs to military tools, weapons, equipment and systems.

Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.

Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.